There is something extra joyful about greeting the day with a batch of Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls. Imagine soft, pillowy dough swirled with zesty orange, finished with a glossy orange glaze—each bite is bursting with bright, fresh citrus flavor that wakes up your senses. Whether you bake them for a festive brunch or as a weekend treat, these sweet rolls deliver a big bakery payoff with just a handful of simple ingredients. Everyone who tries them will swoon!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls come together with just a few pantry staples and some fresh oranges. Don’t skip any of these—every single ingredient plays a part in making the rolls so perfectly fluffy, flavorful, and fragrant!
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure and the irresistible pillowy texture to the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the dough and filling for just the right touch of sweetness.
- Active dry yeast: The secret to a light, airy rise and tender crumb.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the citrus flavor.
- Whole milk (warmed): Makes the dough rich and moist.
- Orange juice (freshly squeezed): Brings a burst of natural citrus flavor to both dough and glaze.
- Unsalted butter: Adds melt-in-your-mouth richness to the dough and filling.
- Large egg (room temperature): Helps bind the dough and adds a lovely golden color.
- Orange zest: Packs in maximum orange aroma and flavor—use fresh zest for best results!
- Powdered sugar: Whisks into a smooth, luscious glaze that crowns every roll.
How to Make Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Start by combining 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Pour in the warm milk, orange juice, melted butter, egg, and all that fragrant orange zest. Mix it all together until you have a sticky batter. Now, gradually add the rest of the flour, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 2: Knead and First Rise
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and oh-so-satisfying to touch. Pop the dough into a greased bowl, cover it snugly with plastic wrap, and let it rise somewhere warm for about an hour. It should double in size and look beautifully puffy when it’s ready.
Step 3: Fill and Shape the Rolls
Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Roll it out into a big 14×9-inch rectangle—the bigger your rectangle, the more swirly layers you’ll have! Slather the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle on the sugar and plenty of orange zest. Roll up the dough from the long side into a log, pinch the seam to seal, and use a sharp knife to cut 12 equal rolls.
Step 4: Second Rise
Arrange your rolls, swirl-side up, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover them again and let them rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes. This second rise gives them that extra fluffy lift and ensures beautifully soft, cloud-like rolls.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slide the pan onto the middle rack and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until your Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls are lightly golden on top and the house smells absolutely irresistible. Let them cool just slightly—glaze is best on warm rolls!
Step 6: Whisk the Orange Glaze
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest to a smooth, creamy consistency. The perfect glaze should slowly ribbon off your whisk but still hold its shape. Drizzle it lavishly over the freshly baked rolls, letting it ooze into every crevice.
How to Serve Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls
Garnishes
You can’t go wrong with a flurry of extra orange zest on top—just before serving, shower a little more fresh zest or even a scattering of thinly sliced almonds for a pretty, bakery-style touch. If you’re serving them for a special occasion, edible flowers or a light dusting of powdered sugar look stunning too.
Side Dishes
These rolls are a sweet showstopper on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a steaming mug of coffee, a bowl of fresh berries, or a cool, creamy yogurt parfait. For brunch, add a simple scramble or crisp bacon on the side—a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls on a colorful platter for a brunch buffet, or tuck them into a rustic basket lined with a linen napkin for cozy gatherings. If you’re bringing them as a gift, package a few glazed rolls in a bakery box and tie with a ribbon—the cheerful citrus scent will win hearts before the first bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover rolls (lucky you!), simply cover them tightly or place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and soft at room temperature for up to two days. A brief warm-up in the microwave will bring them right back to their bakery-fresh tenderness.
Freezing
Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe bag. For the best flavor, freeze without the glaze and drizzle on fresh once you reheat. They’ll keep for up to two months.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked aroma and texture, reheat your rolls by popping them in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or just a few seconds in the microwave. If frozen, thaw at room temp overnight before reheating, then glaze and serve warm for absolute perfection.
FAQs
Can I make the dough the night before?
Absolutely! After shaping the rolls and placing them in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise for 30–45 minutes before baking for fresh-baked Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls with no early alarm clock needed.
What can I use instead of fresh orange juice?
While fresh-squeezed orange juice gives the brightest flavor, you can use store-bought refrigerated orange juice in a pinch. If using concentrate, make sure to dilute it first to match the recipe’s intensity.
My dough isn’t rising—what went wrong?
This is usually caused by either old yeast or liquids that were too hot or cold. For best results, make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is warm (not hot)—a gentle touch makes all the difference for pillowy rolls!
Can I add other flavors to the filling?
Definitely! A sprinkle of cinnamon or cardamom can add a lovely spicy note, or toss in a handful of finely chopped nuts to the filling for a bit of crunch. Just keep the orange front and center for that signature flavor.
How should I store glazed rolls?
Let any leftover glazed rolls cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you notice the glaze getting a bit sticky, a quick refresh in the microwave will bring back their luster and texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like baking and sharing a pan of Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls—the fragrance alone is enough to gather everyone in the kitchen with smiles. I hope you give this recipe a try and turn any morning into something truly special. Happy baking!
Print
Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful citrusy sweetness of Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls. These soft, pillowy rolls are filled with a buttery orange mixture and topped with a zesty orange glaze, making them a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk (warmed)
- 1/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
For the Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, orange juice, melted butter, egg, and orange zest. Beat until smooth. Gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Filling and Shaping: Roll out dough, spread butter, sprinkle sugar and zest. Roll up dough, cut into rolls, place in a baking dish, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool slightly.
- Glazing: Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- Best enjoyed fresh or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Warm before serving for a just-baked taste!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
